Mark Hodsdon

Mark's Story

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PORTLAND - Mark Sawyer Hodsdon, 55, died Saturday, March 8, 2014, in Portland. He was born Aug. 9, 1958, in Houlton, the son of Kenneth Y. and Evelyn (Sawyer) Hodsdon.

Mark graduated from Houlton High School in 1977 and then received his Associate Degree in Culinary Arts from Southern Maine Vocational Technical Institute. Mark cooked for many seasons at the Geneva Point Conference Center in Moultonborough, N.H., before taking a permanent position as a chef at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston where he enjoyed a fast paced and challenging career cooking for patients and staff alike.

Mark married Lynn Flury in June of 1989 and they lived in Medford, Mass., for many years. Even though they eventually parted, they remained friends and cared deeply about the welfare of the other.

Mark was a gracious and genial host to numerous family and friends visiting the Boston area. He was both chef and tour guide to his guests, taking them all around Boston to see the sights and making sure they squeezed in a Red Sox game before their trip was over. Friends joked that he was a real "mother hen" who made sure everyone had their fill of food and drink and fun.

He especially delighted in visits from his nieces and nephews who loved having "Uncle Mark" spoil them with not only fun, but his full attention. Although Mark never had children of his own, his love for his nieces and nephews was unconditional and joyful and they all have wonderful memories of times spent with him.

Everyone looked forward to summer visits with Mark down at "The Point" in Steuben. Mark felt a deep connection to family roots and cherished the beautiful days spent there. In recent years, he spent time in Florida during the winter with Ciara and Matthew, who also loved their Uncle Mark very much.

Mark never forgot a birthday or family event, even if he couldn't be present. He was generous and a good friend. He was easy going, humorous and quick to laugh. He was kind and thoughtful. Though his path was painful in recent years, he never stopped loving his family and friends.

Mark is survived by his father, Kenneth Hodsdon and wife, Marilyn, of Bangor; brothers, Stephen Hodsdon and wife, Lisa, of Kennebunk, Michael Hodsdon and wife, Mary, of Belfast; sisters, Marie Johnson and husband, Ken, of Hermon, and Melissa White and husband, Andy, of Bangor; nieces and nephews, Erica, Laura, Emma, Andrew, Allison, Connor, Dima, Peter, and Joe; several great-nieces and great-nephews; former wife, Lynn Flury and her children, Ciara, and Matthew of Middleburg, Fla.; and a special sister-in-law, Denise Hodsdon of Kennebunk. Mark was predeceased by his mother, Evelyn Hodsdon in December of 2012; and his niece, Jessica Hodsdon in November of 2006.

A memorial service will be held 1 p.m. Friday, March 14, at the Brewer Chapel of Brookings-Smith, 55 South Main St., Brewer, with the Rev. Russell J. Hamilton officiating. Friends are welcome to call noon until time of service. The family invites relatives and friends to share conversation and refreshments in the Family Reception Rooms of Brookings-Smith, 55 South Main St., Brewer, following the service. A committal will take place at a later date at Evergreen Cemetery, Milbridge. Those who wish to remember Mark in a special way may make gifts in his memory to Preble Street, 38 Preble St., Portland, ME 04141, 207/775-0026. Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.Brookings-Smith.com.